About Us
Empowered
Empowered is a non-profit, humanitarian and development youth initiative from the Australian and Canadian communities and associated churches. Our vision for this project is to saturate Botswana with a message that life is worth living and everything should be done to influence, love and care for the orphans young and vulnerable. Empowered has completed the construction of two orphan centers in the eastern and western parts of the country (Francistown and Ghanzi). Members of the Empowered team will be joining with QUT and local workers in constructing the center in Thamaga, in June ’09.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) provides a career-oriented education which helps graduates find employment in their chosen career, in an environment which uses the latest technology to make learning stimulating and enjoyable.
Construction management subject area coordinator for Paul den Ronden, has taken on the Botswana Orphan Project and inspired his students to practical, real world applications. His students have responded with outstanding effort and commitment to innovative sustainability for an international cause. Students who designed the orphan center will be joining Empowered team members and local workers in constructing the center in Thamaga, in June ’09.
Design
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) students have spent semester 2, 2008 designing a sustainable orphan centre for Botswana and will be constructing the center in July 2009. Economic, environment and community impacts have been taken into consideration.
The students have taken great innovative measures to ensure that the entire project becomes a sustainable icon and educational tool. Among the techniques considered are:
- Recycled rubber for flooring
- Energy efficient lighting
- Solar hot water systems
- Biolytic waste water systems
- Soil block and sand bag construction
- Incorporation of waste materials in construction
- Solar / wind power generation (solar chimney research is currently being considered)
The centers have also been designed to be financially sustainable. The soil block making machine will be left with the project, to be rented out for profit and a commercial bakery included in the plans is planned to recover costs. Water from the Biolytic system is planned to irrigate a vegetable garden to feed the children and provide an additional source of income.
The local community leaders in Botswana have been consulted with in development of the plans which we believe will be a step forward towards the success of this project.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE LATEST DESIGN DRAWINGS
